PAWS of CNY

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About

About pet therapy syracuse

Our Mission

To improve the lives of people in Central New York through the power of the human-animal bond by providing pet-assisted wellness services to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges and universities, libraries, airport travelers, and community partners in Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Madison, and Cayuga Counties.

Our Vision

To be the preferred provider of pet-assisted wellness services in Central New York.

How to Become A Member

We welcome members of the community with domesticated, well-mannered, and well-behaved dogs and cats to apply for pet therapy certification. Certified teams may participate in our pet therapy programs and visit members of the community in need of comfort during assigned visits.

Read about our available programs.

Our History

Three volunteers founded Sunshine Friends in 1998. At that time a total of 10 volunteers were visiting with the newly formed organization at 4 different facilities in Syracuse. In February of 1999 Sunshine Friends became Sunshine Friends Incorporated and later gained status as a charitable, not-for-profit organization.

2000 was a year of expansion. Sunshine Friends volunteers were accepted into University Hospital in Syracuse as the sole providers of animal-assisted activities in the Pediatric and Psychiatric Departments. Sunshine Friends also began providing animal-assisted therapy to the hospital’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. In addition to the hospital programs, Sunshine Friends gained many new volunteers which enabled the organization to expand services to even more assisted-living facilities in Central New York.

In January of 2004, Sunshine Friends, Inc. implemented the SFI Pet Therapy Certification, an extensive evaluation and education procedure specific to our therapeutic pet programs.

In 2013, Sunshine Friends, Inc. changed the name of their organization to PAWS of CNY, Inc. to more accurately describe the expanded role of the organization as a provider of Pet Assisted Wellness Services throughout Central New York. Thank you to Jay Clewis for designing our new brand identity and developing our digital presence during this transition!

Board of Directors

PAWS of CNY, Inc has a working Board of Directors that is comprised of volunteers who bring experience, expertise, dedication as well as an appreciation for the human-animal bond to the table.

Amy Dumas  Amy Dumas – President

Beth and Cooper  Beth Tollar – Vice President

Connie Simmons  Connie Simmons – Secretary/Treasurer

John Neuffer  John Neuffer

  Renie Kehres

 Rebekah Colling

Jay Peacock

Judy McManus

Have a question?

Please feel free to Contact PAWS of CNY if you have any questions or comments. Thank you.

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PAWS of CNY is a proud member of the United Way of Central New York.

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pawsofcny

Luau Lumpi 🌸 • •📸: @upstatecancercenter Luau Lumpi 🌸 
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•📸: @upstatecancercenter
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Hi Lily 👋🏼 💚 • • • #pawsofcny #pett Hi Lily 👋🏼 💚
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#pawsofcny #pettherapyisthebesttherapy #pettherapy #doggos #therapypets #volunteer #communityservice #nonprofit #therapypets #therapydogs #instadogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogsofinstagram #dogsdaily #doglovers #puppysofinsta #instadogs #instapuppies  #dogloversofig #welovedogs #puppytherapy #therapypuppy #cutestdogs #cutestpups #thera
Evaluations will be held this month at Syracuse Ob Evaluations will be held this month at Syracuse Obedience Training Club, by appointment only. If you think your pet might be a good candidate for Pet Therapy, please visit pawsofcny.org/apply to secure your spot.
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#pawsofcny #pettherapyisthebesttherapy #pettherapy #doggos #therapypets #volunteer #communityservice #nonprofit #therapypets #therapydogs #instadogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogsofinstagram #dogsdaily #doglovers #puppysofinsta #instadogs #instapuppies #instatherapy #dogloversofig #welovedogs #puppytherapy #therapypuppy #cutestpups #therapydog #instadog
The staff at Upstate Cancer Center are loving Sadi The staff at Upstate Cancer Center are loving Sadie’s visits to the pediatric unit 💜
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•📸: @upstatecancercenter
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#pawsofcny #pettherapyisthebesttherapy #pettherapy #doggos #therapypets #volunteer #communityservice #nonprofit #therapypets #therapydogs #instadogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogsofinstagram #dogsdaily #doglovers #puppysofinsta #instadogs #instapuppies #instatherapy #dogloversofig #welovedogs #puppytherapy #therapypuppy #cutestpups #therapydog #instadog
Sending a shout out to all of our hard working the Sending a shout out to all of our hard working therapy pups on National Work Like a Dog Day 🐶 
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#pawsofcny #pettherapyisthebesttherapy #pettherapy #doggos #therapypets #volunteer #communityservice #nonprofit #therapypets #therapydogs #instadogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogsofinstagram #dogsdaily #doglovers #puppysofinsta #instadogs #instapuppies  #dogloversofig #welovedogs #puppytherapy #therapypuppy #cutestdogs #cutestpups #therapydog #instadog
Bailey loves her job 🤍 • •📸: @upstatecan Bailey loves her job 🤍
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•📸: @upstatecancercenter
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#pawsofcny #pettherapyisthebesttherapy #pettherapy #doggos #therapypets #volunteer #communityservice #nonprofit #therapypets #therapydogs #instadogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinsta #dogsofig #dogsofinstagram #dogsdaily #doglovers #puppysofinsta #instadogs #instapuppies #instatherapy #dogloversofig #welovedogs #puppytherapy #therapypuppy #cutestpups #therapydog #instadog
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Recent Posts

  • Syracuse Hancock International Airport PET Program Excels
  • Syracuse Pet Therapy Evaluations
  • Upstate Cancer Center Recognizes PAWS of CNY Therapy Dogs
  • Therapy Dogs at Shaw Wellness Center
  • Airport Therapy Dog Helps Travelers

About PAWS OF CNY

PAWS of CNY, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Central New York that is dedicated to enriching the lives of people and animals through mutually beneficial interaction. Over 100 volunteers across Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Madison and Cayuga Counties bring their pets to visit residents at more than 100 facilities in Central New York, bringing smiles to more than 1,200 people every week. Read about our available programs.

Recent Posts

  • Syracuse Hancock International Airport PET Program Excels
  • Syracuse Pet Therapy Evaluations
  • Upstate Cancer Center Recognizes PAWS of CNY Therapy Dogs
  • Therapy Dogs at Shaw Wellness Center
  • Airport Therapy Dog Helps Travelers

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PAWS of CNY, Inc. is a charitable, 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Copyright © 2022 PAWS of CNY, Inc. All rights reserved.   PAWS of CNY, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation.
Design and development by Jay Clewis.